Head Injury Assessment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What a head injury assessment involves
A head injury assessment is the check a doctor carries out after a knock, fall or blow to the head. Its purpose is to look for two things: concussion, which is a temporary disturbance of how the brain works, and bleeding inside the skull, which is less common but serious. The emergency department at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah carries out this assessment around the clock.
The team starts by asking what happened, how the injury occurred, whether there was any loss of consciousness, and how the person has felt since. From there the doctor checks how alert the person is and how well they remember the event, examines the pupils and how they react to light, and tests the nervous system through movement, strength, balance and coordination. Where the story or the examination points to a deeper problem, the doctor arranges a head scan, which shows the brain and skull in detail and reveals any bleeding. The scan is used where the signs call for it, so the same care in one person leads to observation and in another to imaging.
When to come to the emergency department after a head injury
Some signs after a head injury mean the person deserves to be seen straight away. Come to the emergency department at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, or call an ambulance, if any of these appear after a blow to the head:
- Loss of consciousness, however brief, or difficulty staying awake
- Repeated vomiting after the injury
- A headache that is severe, or one that keeps getting worse
- Confusion, unusual drowsiness, or trouble recognising people or places
- A fit or seizure
- Clear fluid or blood coming from the nose or the ears
- Weakness, numbness or clumsiness in an arm or leg
- Slurred speech, double vision, or loss of balance
These are the warning signs that call for prompt assessment. Bring the person in without delay, and where they are hard to rouse, have had a fit, or were injured in a fall from height or a road accident, call an ambulance so treatment can begin on the way. A head injury in someone on blood-thinning medication also deserves a prompt check, as does any head injury in a baby or young child who is floppy, hard to wake, or crying in a way that settles poorly.
When watchful observation at home suits better
Most bumps to the head are minor, and where a person is fully alert with none of the warning signs above, quiet recovery at home with a watchful eye tends to suit them well. A minor knock often brings a mild headache, a small bruise or a short spell of feeling dazed that eases over the following hours.
Home care works best when a responsible adult stays nearby for the first day and keeps watch. That means checking on the person, waking them gently once or twice during the first night to confirm they rouse normally, and staying alert for any of the warning signs listed above. Rest, plenty of fluids, and a simple pain reliever suited to the person help the recovery along. The value of watchful observation lies in knowing what to look for, so that if anything changes the person comes straight in.
What happens during the assessment
When you arrive at the emergency department, you register your details, and a triage nurse checks your pulse, blood pressure, breathing and alertness to judge how urgently you should be seen. A doctor then takes the history of the injury and examines you.
The examination is straightforward and gentle. The doctor asks questions to gauge your memory and orientation, shines a light to check the pupils, and asks you to move, grip and follow simple instructions to test the nervous system. Based on what the story and the examination show, the doctor decides whether a period of observation is enough or whether a head scan adds useful information. Where a scan is arranged, it is quick and painless, and the doctor explains the result once it is ready.
After the assessment
Where the assessment is reassuring, you are usually sent home with clear head injury advice: what to watch for, how long to keep an eye out, and when to return. A responsible adult staying with you for the first day remains the safest arrangement, even after a normal check.
Where the assessment or a head scan finds something that needs closer attention, the team keeps you for observation, involves a specialist, or admits you for care. Concussion itself is managed with rest and a gradual return to normal activity, and the doctor guides you on how to pace that return. Whatever the outcome, you leave knowing the warning signs that mean you should come back to Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a head scan after hitting my head?
A head scan is arranged where the story of the injury or the doctor's examination points to a need for it. For many minor head injuries, a careful examination and a period of observation give the answer, and the doctor uses a scan selectively, based on the warning signs and how the injury happened.
What are the warning signs to watch for after a head injury?
Watch for loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, a severe or worsening headache, confusion or drowsiness, a fit, clear fluid or blood from the nose or ears, and weakness or clumsiness in an arm or leg. If any of these appear, come to the emergency department straight away.
Most minor head bumps settle at home, so is it worth coming in?
Most minor head bumps do settle safely at home, and knowing the warning signs to watch for is the single most useful thing after a knock to the head. Where any warning sign appears, or where you feel unsure, coming in for an assessment is always reasonable, and the team would rather check and reassure you.
How long should someone watch a person after a head injury?
Keeping a watchful eye for the first 24 hours covers most of the risk, with the first night being the time to stay especially attentive. A responsible adult nearby who can wake the person gently once or twice and confirm they rouse normally provides good cover, and any change means coming straight in.
What is concussion?
Concussion is a temporary disturbance in how the brain works after a blow to the head. It can bring a headache, feeling dazed, difficulty concentrating, or sensitivity to light and noise. It settles with rest and a gradual return to normal activity, and the doctor at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah explains how to pace that recovery.
Can I sleep after a head injury?
Sleep is fine after a minor head injury, and rest helps recovery. The useful step is having someone nearby who can wake the person gently once or twice during the first night to confirm they rouse normally. Where the person is hard to wake, come to the emergency department straight away.
When should I call an ambulance rather than drive?
Call an ambulance if the person is hard to wake, has had a fit, is very confused, has weakness on one side, or was injured in a serious fall or road accident. In these situations treatment can begin on the way, and moving the person yourself carries risk, so trained help is the safer choice.
Is a head injury in a child treated differently?
Children are assessed around the clock, and the approach follows the same warning signs, with extra attention to a baby or young child who is floppy, hard to wake, vomiting repeatedly, or crying in a way that settles poorly. Bring a child in whenever a head injury worries you, as a parent's judgement matters.
Does a head injury on blood-thinning medication need a check?
A head injury in someone taking blood-thinning medication deserves a prompt assessment, even where the knock seemed minor, because these medicines raise the chance of bleeding inside the skull. Come to the emergency department and bring a list of the medicines, so the team has the full picture.
Do I need an appointment for a head injury assessment?
No appointment is needed. Head injury assessment is part of emergency care at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, available 24 hours a day. In an emergency, come straight to the emergency department.
Departments
Book an appointment
Tell us your preferred day and time. Our team calls you back to confirm.